I download a lot of stuff for my game, but I've only made a couple of posters, so download

It depends.

I like making paintings and posters in my game, using interesting art I find throughout the Web. I prefer non-copyrighted or not-marketed material. I feel it's a little slimy, for instance, to raid a DeviantArt account where the person is trying to sell the artwork. While my creation skills aren't very good, even I can make artwork for my Sims to paint and purchase from time to time! From time to time, I'll use my own photos.

I really do enjoy making my own lots 90% of the time now. Am I great at it? No. But often, I find that the best way to get the lots I desire, with the space and layout I prefer, is to make my own. Like many, I use house plans as an inspiration, but the finished results do not usually look like the originals. I do admit, though, to occasionally being a little lazy and downloading a lot now and again.

I do not download others' Sims anymore. They look really nice, but I just usually make them myself.

Everything else, though ... downloaded. I do not have the skills to do much more, except for a few simple recolors. I haven't recolored anything in years, though.